Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Response To George Chandler

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By PETE SHEEHEY
Los Alamos County Councilor

My friend George Chandler and I have respectfully disagreed about the Sheriff’s role in Los Alamos for a long time. However, his recent letter (link) misstates what my Resolution (link) proposes. First of all, I do not propose to “expand” the duties of the Sheriff, but simply to restore a limited set of traditional duties to the Sheriff’s Office, and insure that those duties are done by properly trained and certified persons.

I consulted the County Attorney about how to phrase the Resolution in a way that maintains the law enforcement mandate of the Police

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Letter To The Editor: A Better Way For LA Responds To 2017 Recreation Bond Election Results

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By A Better Way For LA

Lisa Shin, President
Lisa Brenner, Vice-President 
Patrick Brenner, Treasurer
 

The results of the Rec Bond vote speak to a community, which is both eager to invest in itself and concerned about its economic future. We understand the disappointment of the advocates for the Rec Bond. We applaud and commend their many hours spent on this project. We are grateful for their vibrant participation in the democratic process.

Now, we must work together to achieve a fiscally responsible and mutually beneficial end goal. It is imperative that together, we call Read More

Letter To The Editor: No Language Mandating Expansion Of Sheriff’s Office In 2016 Election Question

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By GEORGE CHANDLER
Los Alamos

County Councilor (Pete) Sheehey has prepared a resolution purporting to “settle the debate” about the Los Alamos County Sheriff. He writes that we must respond to the decision last year by voters to keep the vestigial Sheriff’s Office in our charter, by carving out law enforcement duties for the sheriff’s office, hiring and certifying deputies and staff, handing over the jail, and buying a pickup to pull the sheriff’s horse trailer to meetings of the Sheriff’s Association.

Oh, there is a slight oversight in the letter promoting his resolution: he apparently overlooked Read More

Letter To The Editor: Memorial Day … Let’s Remember

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By GREG WHITE
Los Alamos
 
This Memorial Day, like all past ones, I hope against all hope that people will do the right thing and spend the day in solemn remembrance and prayer for the millions of men and women (and for their families) who gave their lives for your freedom.
 
I’m not saying spend the day crying. Go to the beach. Have a cookout. But for way too many people all the day is about is having fun without a thought of all the wives, husbands, children and parents who aren’t going to be having fun because an American military man or woman gave their life so we don’t have
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Letter To The Editor: Thank You Los Alamos … I Will See You Around!

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By JAMES ROBINSON
Los Alamos

Wow! What a couple days Los Alamos has experienced.

I want to first begin by thanking my fellow officers on the Republican Party of Los Alamos Executive Board. As stated in my resignation email, their hard work and diligence was uncanny and lead to great success.

James Chrobocinski was always willing to provide us with whatever we needed. Kelly Benner not only planned our events by herself, but also kept us all in line. Lisa Shin brought a new energy into the party from national campaign. Jane Gordon could always make us laugh, and make sure we were spending our money wisely. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Saddened We’ve Lost Two Valuable And Involved Members Of Our Community…

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By ROBYN SCHULTZ, Chair
Democratic Party of Los Alamos County
 
I was saddened to read that James Robinson and James Chrobocinski have stepped down from local Republican Party leadership. Saddened, because it appears that they were attacked for their efforts to improve Los Alamos.
 
While both men hold different views than I do on many issues, I recognize them as valuable and involved members of our community. I have long been impressed with James Robinson’s graciousness when he has run for office or applied for board positions. In addition, I respect Councilor Chrobocinski’s
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Sheehey: Let’s Settle The Debate About The Role Of The Sheriff In Los Alamos

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By PETE SHEEHEY
Los Alamos County Councilor

There has been a long-standing debate about the role of the Sheriff in Los Alamos. The present Sheriff, Marco Lucero, was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, stressing the importance of the Sheriff’s role in Los Alamos. County Councils, not including myself, have worked to minimize that role, drastically cutting his budget and ultimately calling an election last November to eliminate the office. After a contentious campaign, our citizens voted to keep an elected Sheriff.  

It’s time to settle this debate. I will present at the June 6 Council Read More

Letter To The Editor: Rec Bond Plea To County Council – Can’t We Compromise?

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By LAUREN GRIFFITH
Los Alamos

Following the recent recreation bond election outcome, I wondered if there is a possible compromise that we could look at. 

From discussions with and reading opinions by ‘no’ voters, it sounds like there were two main issues with the bond (I realize there were others, but these seemed to be the biggest):

a) it was ‘all or nothing’ and many of them might have been happy with some of the projects, but not all of them; and

b) it was going to increase property taxes, resulting in debt for us and future generations. 

I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree with the frustration

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Letter To The Editor: Walk/Drive Your YES Vote On Rec Bond To County Clerk’s Office By 7 p.m. Today

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By RAO GARIMELLA
Los Alamos

Today is the last day to vote on the Rec Bond. It’s too late to mail it in but you can hand carry it to the County Clerk’s Office.

There has been a healthy, vigorous debate on the issue but in the end I urge you to keep in mind the saying that “PERFECT IS THE ENEMY OF GOOD!” 

So I encourage you to vote YES or we will all be waiting for another decade before the community has the energy to organize such a campaign again. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Support The Amenities That Make Our Community Better For Everyone!

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By Andrea and Greg Cunningham
Los Alamos

As Recreation Bond ballots are due tomorrow, we want to remind everyone to get their ballots in and encourage you to vote “Yes” on the bond.

Those opposed to the bond seem to have two main arguments against it:

  • Need: they state there is not a need for the projects that are proposed; and
  • Cost: our taxes and the cost are too high.

We feel that both arguments are incorrect as we look to the future of our community. As a parent, we can say there is definitely a need!! When we first moved to Los Alamos almost 25 years ago, we were surprised that more of the capital improvements

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